Hope dawns as Democrats take control of the US House of Representatives.

We are getting into very deep water here, but we may have no other options.

'Accountability does not seem to be a part of the WDC's day-to-day operations'

The dreams that drove the anti-Communist revolutions of 1989 are still alive but fading.

The erosion isolating the headland is 20-30m inland from where the boulders were removed.

We have a tapestry of incredible richness in this wonderful population of ours.

It seems they are now realising that the expense of doing nothing is rising rapidly.

Comment: Here's a list of things I want to see happen in 2019.

Modern day plant hunters on the trail of historic oaks

Christmas and Boxing days - stark contrasts in consecutive days.

We must address the rapidly growing financial inequality in this country.

Today's retirees need a range of accommodation options.

The Government's education review taskforce has decided to go back to the future.

MbS is likely to stay in power -- perhaps to the ultimate ruin of the country he rules.

It's Christmas and you can't say 'No' ... no matter how badly you want to

Readers sound off on capitalism at fault; ratepayers' wishes; pension pain and dog poo

Trump v Ardern -- the bad and the good of 2018

Santa's helper got us through the Christmas spend-up at 600,000 transactions an hour.

"In 1914 ... Christmas Day found the people of Europe weltering in blood."

PM Jacinda Ardern has not forgotten the importance of the comma in spoken English.

Everyone is your brother and your sister — bring love into your every day.

"Your disk is almost full" – the latest warning message on my laptop.

Who knew, though, that we would have a "Ms Mercedes", aka Rouxle Le Roux, of our own?

From a second-hand book found in a shop in Bulls ...

COMMENT: Steve Braunias sums up the year in Christmas song.

Buses provide a social link with most passengers enjoying a good chat on their way to town

'The unlawfulness of smoking cannabis creates far more evil than it prevents.'

We're delivering for Māori, putting whānau first and getting on with the job.

It's almost wearisome to recount the veritable tsunami of technological wizardry.

Stay safe these holidays, whether on the roads, under the sun or in the water.